Illinois Pols Split on Health Care Reform

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ROYAL OAK, MI - MARCH 22: People attend a rally for a ballot initiative opposing the new federal health care bill March 22, 2010 in Royal Oak, Michigan. The initiative, sponsored by Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin, is designed to get the State of Michigan exempted from the new health care bill. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Updated at 8:10 AM CST on Thursday, Sep 23, 2010

As the first wave of healthcare provisions are set to come to life Thursday, Illinois' governor's candidates are treading party lines on the signature legislation.

Parents may now keep children on their insurance plans until the age of 26 if that child doesn't have insurance through an employer.

Insurers are now barred from denying coverage to individuals with preexisting conditions

Providers can no longer employ lifetimes limits on essential benefits

Insurers must now pay for services such as immunizations, mammograms and colonoscopies without charging deductibles, co-pays or insurance fees.

Quinn said he wants recommendations on how to roll out these and other upcoming consumer protection elements of the health care legislation by Dec. 31.

That could be too late for Quinn, however.

State Senator Bill Brady, who's currently trouncing Quinn in the polls, has said, if he's elected, he may join with 20 other governors challenging the constitutionality of the law.

The division is not surprising as it plays along party lines and other Illinois politicians are framing the new law as a backhanded cost hike.

"Premiums may go down slightly. However co-payments and deductibles will go up," Representative John Shimkus said.

Blanket statements like those add to the confusion. According to an AP poll, just 30 percent are in favor of the new law and 40 percent are against it. But the remaining 30 percent of individuals polled are undecided about it's merits because of a lack of explanation.